Natural Sciences Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
What it pays
Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $80.39/hr — about $167,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $38.32/hr; the top 10% earn $152.33/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $80.39/hr — about $167,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $38.32/hr; the top 10% earn $152.33/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
- Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
- Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
- Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
- Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
- Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
Working for yourself
About 0% of natural sciences managers are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are analytical, take-charge and organized and detail-focused.
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Quick questions
- How much does a natural sciences manager make?
- The median pay is $80.39 per hour — roughly $167,000 a year, with the real range running from about $38.32/hr (10th percentile) to $152.33/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a natural sciences manager?
- The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
- What does a natural sciences manager actually do all day?
- Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff. Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing. Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.